Water containing soluble fiber

ABSTRACT

A water-like fluid containing safe water and soluble dietary fiber(s). The resulting solution is generally optically clear and has physical properties similar to potable water. The fluid is intended as a replacement for bottled, or other water, as a means to ensure proper hydration. Depending on the soluble fiber used the fluid is either non-caloric or extremely low in calories. The amount of soluble fiber is adjusted to a specific amount of water so that consumption of an adequate amount of fluid ensures hydration. In one embodiment, a flavoring may be added to the resulting solution.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/772,783, filed Jul. 2, 2007 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,178,150), which is aContinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/204,572 filed Apr. 2, 2003(now U.S. Pat. No. 7,238,380), which is a United States National Phaseapplication of PCT/US01/05630, filed on Feb. 22, 2001, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/510,400, filed Feb.22, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,390), the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application concerns generally components of the human dietand more specifically water and fiber. Many of the major problems inhuman health revolve around which dietary components are truly essentialfor animal and human health and which components are merely hyped byvarious companies to sell product. A related problem is that of theaccuracy of information regarding the appropriateness of a given food,nutrient or nutraceutical for a given individual. Certainly the “onesize fits all” scenario is untrue when it comes to pharmaceuticals andnutrition. Further, the Federal Drug Administration has very littlecontrol over dietary supplements so that companies compete in makingclaims and launching new products, which may or may not be helpinghumans or animals that consume the products. New information constantlycomes forth warning of potential interactions between herbalsupplements, ethical pharmaceuticals and various disease states. Thepresent inventor is concerned with providing a composition that can beextremely beneficial to humans and animals with few, if any, dangers ordrawbacks. In the following description consumption by humans shouldalso be taken to include consumption by domestic animals—primarily dogsand cats. While many of the concepts discussed are applicable to otheranimals, the digestive systems of herbivores, particularly ruminates,varies tremendously from that of humans. Therefore, the thrust of thepresent invention is towards carnivores and omnivores whose digestivesystems more closely resemble those of humans.

One of the conundrums of human health is that dietary components, whichmay appear mundane are actually incredibly essential. One such vitalcomponent that is frequently overlooked, or given insufficientimportance, is water. Although water is not metabolized, it isabsolutely essential for metabolism. A majority of the weight of thebody is water which serves as the solvent for the chemical reactions oflife. Many living cells are more water than anything else. The variousnutrients needed for cellular growth and survival enter the cellsdissolved in water. After metabolism, the waste products are carriedaway by water, and death can occur in as little as three to five dayswithout water.

It is generally agreed that the average person should consume at leasteight, 8 oz. glasses of water per day—more if the individual isundergoing stress leading to an increased loss of water. Unfortunately,most people drink water, or appropriate hydrating drinks, only when theyfeel parched. Generally, they do not consume sufficient water tocompletely reverse dehydration. Further, this thirst response becomeseven less effective as one ages. Older people are less likely to drinksufficient water and are more likely to suffer from dehydration. Thereader's attention is drawn to “Problem: thirst, drinking behavior, andinvoluntary dehydration” by John E. Greenleaf (Medicine and Science inSports and Exercise, 24:645 (1992).

When the body is dehydrated, nutrients cannot be as readily delivered tothe cells, nor can waste products be as readily removed. Withdehydration viscosity of the blood is increased so that efficiency ofcirculation is decreased. Such impaired circulation can ultimately leadto vascular damage and disease. At the same time because the dehydratedbody seeks to reverse this situation, more water is removed from thebowel. This causes excessive compaction and hardness of digestiveresidues with resulting constipation and potential accumulations oftoxins in the bowel (which toxins may ultimately be absorbed into theblood stream). Further, there is abundant evidence that constipation maylead to cancer of the colon possible as a result of prolonged contactbetween cells of the colon and toxin laden feces.

Because of the dehydrated situation of the body, filtration of wastes bythe kidneys is reduced resulting in an even more significant buildup oftoxic or waste products in the circulation. These wastes can exacerbatevascular damage while the high osmotic level of the blood and the highlevel of waste products can actually result in kidney damage. Of course,damaged kidneys are even less able to remove wastes and toxins. Thisresults in a “chain reaction” where even more toxins and wastesaccumulate and the overall damage becomes greater and greater.

Adequate intake of safe water can the basic problems of dehydration. By“safe water” the inventor means water that meets the safety standardsfor drinking water promulgated by the federal and state governments inthe United States. In other countries appropriate governmental entitiesset the standards for “safe water.” However, even with an adequateintake of water constipation and the damage it engenders continues to bea significant problem. This is due, in a large part, to the life styleand diet of our industrialized society. Even with adequate intake ofwater, it is important that the food consumed have adequate “roughage.”

Unquestionably as a society, we are suffering from a deplorable lack ofdietary fiber. We are constantly warned by the medical profession andother experts that this lack of fiber can, and does, kill. Our diets arereplete with “empty” calories—refined foods loaded with fats andsugars—and contain few whole foods. When it comes to fiber many believethat a daily bowl of cereal is adequate. Our supermarkets and pantriesare stuffed with brightly packaged prepared foods that are usuallyfiber-free or very low in fiber. The presence or absence of dietaryfiber greatly influences one's ability to expel solid wastes. About onein 19 individuals in our society has a health condition that requiresspecial attention. This makes the need for adequate fiber even moreimportant to many of these individuals. Due to modern medicine's successin combating contagious diseases we are living longer. But can we livehealthier with calorie-laden over processed refined foods that lead toobesity? People try to cure these problems with miracle diets and byconsuming a number of supplements in an attempt to replace what refininghas removed from food.

Fiber or “roughage” is a component of food that remains undigested as itpasses through the gastrointestinal system. The vast majority of dietaryfiber consists of polysaccharides of plant origin. The most obviousfiber is the cellulosic wall that surrounds plant cells. Many of thesecells are actually called “fibers” hence the original name of thiscomponent. However, there are actually two forms of fiber: insolublefiber—the classic cellulosic material, and soluble fiber—water solublepolysaccharides that are not digested by human or carnivore digestivesystems. Both types of fiber bind considerable water and, thus, have asoftening effect on the stool. However, soluble fiber may, depending onthe precise polysaccharides involved, may be metabolized or partiallymetabolized by bacteria in the colon. Thus, soluble fiber may not havethe same bulking effect on the stool. Both type of fibers tend toincrease motility within the gastrointestinal tract thus speedingtransit time of wastes and lowering the risk of colon cancer. Like waterfiber is essential for human health and is not metabolized by humans.

It has been discovered that dietary fiber appears to moderate the rateat which sugars and fats are absorbed from the intestine. The exactreason for this effect is not completely understood. Perhaps the fibersomehow sequesters these materials and thus slows or preventsabsorption. Perhaps by speeding the overall transit of material throughthe digestive tract, absorption is slowed. In the case of simple sugarsslowed absorption translates to a more gradual rise in blood sugarfollowing eating. This is likely important in the managing of diabetesand may also help prevent adult onset diabetes. In the case of fats, thefiber seems to help prevent damaging levels of cholesterol in the blood.This may be due to a binding of bile salts and cholesterol to the fiberso that these materials are excreted with the feces rather than beingabsorbed or reabsorbed. Adequate fiber clearly lowers the risk of heartdisease. Further, fiber tends to bind toxic metals and other toxins sothat they are safely removed from the digestive system.

In fact, it has been suggested that deficiency in dietary fiber isrelated to numerous disease states including colon cancer, heartdisease, cerebral apoplexy, appendicitis, and diabetes. This is apartfrom those diseases more closely linked to constipation such asintestinal toxemia, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis,diverticulitis, varicocele, and cholelithiasis (gall stones). It isbelieved that dietary fiber performs various useful physiologicalfunctions including reduction of serum cholesterol, limitation ofinsulin secretion, and acceleration of bowel evacuation. All thesefactors make fiber a very important nutritive substance, the sixth mostimportant nutrient reported by some commentators, although it is notactually metabolized.

It would appear that any water-soluble non-metabolizable carbohydratepolymer could act as dietary fiber. It is important that no humanenzymes are capable of hydrolyzing these polysaccharides into simplesugars that would readily absorbed so that the material would notprovide a “fiber” effect. Preferentially, the polymers should also notbe readily metabolized by bacteria common in the human gut because ifbacteria do not metabolize them they will continue to provide a“bulking” effect. However some types of soluble fiber, like thecarbohydrates of certain legumes, are metabolized by and do promote thegrowth of beneficial bacteria. This generally has a positive effect asthe beneficial bacterial also tend to lubricate the stool and preventthe growth of other bacteria that may release toxins.

Soluble fiber comes from a wide range of plant sources. Water-solubleplant pectins and pectic materials, galactomannans, arabanogalactans andwater-soluble hemicelulose can act as soluble fiber. Many plant“mucilages,” gums, and soluble polysaccharides found in grains, seeds,or stems such as psyllium, guar, oat (beta glucans), astragalus (gumtraganth), gum ghatti, gum karaya (Sterculia gum), and gum acacia arealso soluble fiber. Algal polysaccharides such as agar or carrageenanalso behave as soluble fiber as do other indigestible carbohydrates,such as maltodextrins or dextrins, produced by chemical or enzymaticdigestion (e.g., partial hydrolysis) of starch, gums and othercarbohydrate polymers. Soluble cellulosic ethers and other derivativessuch as carboxymethy cellulose behave as soluble fiber as doindigestible carbohydrate polymers artificially prepared using bacterialenzymes. Non-digestible storage carbohydrates such as inulin are alsoimportant soluble fibers. A number of companies are now providing anentire range of “soluble fiber” materials. For example, TIC Gums ofBelcamp, Md., Novartis Nutrition of Minneapolis, Minn. and ImperialSensus of Sugar Land, Tex. provide soluble fiber compounds of foodgrade.

Soluble “fiber” is known to provide a novel opportunity for improvingthe characteristics of fiber-poor refined foods. Fiber was removed fromfood products because in many cases it made the foods coarse,unpalatable or difficult to process. Adding insoluble bran or othersimilar fiber to foods may provide more roughage but can also degradethe favorable properties of the foods. For example, cakes or pastriesmade from flours high in insoluble fiber may have inferior taste andtexture. Excess insoluble fiber may upset the digestion and lead to anumber of digestive problems. On the other hand, soluble fiber isgenerally well tolerated, often improves the texture or other physicalcharacteristics of the food product and is generally innocuous.Consequently, there are a growing number of food products, ranging frombaked goods to “shake-like” beverages, contain added fiber in the formof soluble fiber. Soluble fiber can restore the benefits of fiber to ourhighly refined diet.

There are a number of “medical” or laxative products on the market thatare based on soluble fiber. Various different brands are based onpsyllium seed carbohydrates or on soluble cellulose derivatives (e.g.,carboxymethyl cellulose). These products are replete replete withsugars, dyes, artificial flavors, and artificial sweeteners. Generally,they do not comfortably fit into a “normal” diet. Usually they arepowders that must be mixed with water to make a more or less thick,murky, slimy or even gritty solution. Further, their directions are rifewith warnings such as “TAKING THIS PRODUCT WITHOUT ADEQUATE FLUID MAYCAUSE IT TO SWELL AND BLOCK YOUR THROAT OR ESOPHAGUS AND MAY CAUSECHOKING. DO NOT TAKE THIS PRODUCT IF YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY IN SWALLOWING,IF YOU EXPERIENCE CHEST PAIN, VOMITING, OR DIFFICULTY IN SWALLOWING ORBREATHING AFTER TAKING THIS PRODUCT SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION.”

Despite the tremendous benefits of soluble fibers such a warning pointsout that dry packaged soluble fiber products are not the safest way toobtain soluble fiber. Fluid ingestion is an important, even vital, partof consuming soluble fiber. Further such a warning makes it clear that asafe and effective means for administration of soluble fiber is stillneeded because many consumers routinely disregard label directions andwarnings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to simultaneously provide bothessential water and essential dietary fiber.

It is another object to safely provide an optimal combination of waterand fiber-two essential elements of human health.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide solubledietary in a form that guarantees that adequate water accompanies thefiber to render it optimally functional.

It is another object of the present invention to provide fiber and safewater in a simple/convenient, and pleasant to ingest format.

The present invention discloses a water-like fluid that contains waterand dietary fiber. The water-like fluid, fiber-water, is a watercomposition comprising of safe water along with a significant quantityof soluble dietary fiber which is generally optically clear and has thephysical properties similar to potable water. The fluid is intended as areplacement for bottled water, or other water, as a means to ensure thebeneficial requirements of soluble fiber along with proper hydration.Depending on the soluble fiber used the fluid is either non-caloric orextremely low in calories. The amount of soluble fiber is adjusted sothat consumption of an adequate amount of fluid to ensure hydration(e.g., eight 8 oz. glasses per day) will also provide an optimal amountof dietary fiber. This is particularly valuable in stressed situationswere the diet may not provide adequate fiber without supplementation.The constant metered supply of fiber provided throughout the day may bepreferable to and more convenient than “bolus” administration of fiberthrough laxatives, etc. Additionally, the constant presence of solublefiber in the digestive tract provides the known beneficial effects ofmoderating the postprandial increase in blood glucose, modulating serumlipid levels, and suppressing appetite.

The present invention is prepared by dissolving any of a number ofwater-soluble polysaccharides in safe potable water. Either purifiedwater or natural water (e.g., mineral water) can be used. However,because hydration is a major object of the invention, the base watershould be relatively low in dissolved salts. Preferably the base waterwill not contain more than about 500 mg./l dissolved salts. Thisinvention includes any soluble fibers, however, especially preferred arepolysaccharides as refined dextrins or maltodextrins produced fromhydrolysis of starch (e.g., corn or potato starch, purified inulins(fructo-oligosaccharides) produced from plants such as dahlia orchicory, and partially hydrolyzed or otherwise fractionated vegetablegums such as partially hydrolyzed guar gum. A single or mixtures ofseveral polysaccharides can be used depending on the precise use. Thepolysaccharides should be essentially indigestible although colonbacteria may metabolize them. If bacteria metabolize them, care shouldbe taken that they are fermentable only by benign and beneficialbacteria.

One way of using the invention is to provide the proper dailyrequirement of fiber spread over the eight 8 oz. glasses of waterrecommended to insure proper hydration. The invention is also useful toprovide fiber and water in enteral feeding situations and to providefiber to children and infants. In some applications color may be addedas an indicator of the amount of fiber present because differentstrengths of the fiber solution are contemplated. The material can beconsumed directly or can be used in any food to which water must beadded. It is also contemplated that the invention can be used to ensurehydration and regularity of domestic animals—primarily cats and dogs.However, any carnivore or omnivore should benefit from the invention.Herbivores have very different gut bacteria and may be able tometabolize the soluble fiber. Therefore, these animals must be tested ona case by case basis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modescontemplated by the inventor of carrying out her invention. Variousmodifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled inthe art, since the general principles of the present invention have beendefined herein specifically to provide a water-like drink containingsignificant amounts of soluble fiber.

The current trend in foods is to add fiber and soluble fiber to avariety of food products. There are, however, potential drawbacks tothis trend. To be fully effective soluble fiber must be combined with anadequate intake of water—certainly not available in dry goods and bakedgoods. This is true for both soluble and insoluble fiber. Although the“shake-like” and other soluble fiber beverages or mixes to which watermust be added do contribute water, they, like most dry goods, alsocontribute a significant source of calories to the diet—a major problemwith today's diets and something clearly not needed by our generallyoverfed population. While it is possible to limit the caloric content ofthe fiber-containing beverages through the use of non-nutritivesweeteners, this amounts to adding chemicals that may create orexacerbate health problems. Therefore, the present inventor hasdeveloped a superior solution based on the unique synergisticinteraction between water and soluble fiber.

In experimenting with various types of soluble fiber, the inventornoticed that a number of the more refined materials, such as lowermolecular weight grades of inulin (for example see U.S. Pat. No.5,968,365), specialized dextrins, maltodextrins and partially hydrolyzedguar gums can actually produce a clear, or virtually clear, andvirtually colorless solution in water. Further, these soluble fibers areessentially tasteless at the preferred concentrations for consumptionand essentially non-metabolized by the human digestive tract..sup.1 Thusis produced an entire new class of beverage—namely, “fiber-water.”Dissolving appropriate water-soluble fiber to a concentration ofgenerally 0.1-10% (by weight) produces fiber-water. The resultingproduct, fiber-water, is essentially water-like. Any of the solublefiber materials listed above can be used individually or combined solong as the resulting .sup.1 Many of these materials contain a smallcomponent of metabolizable carbohydrate. For example, inulins oftencontain about 1.6 food calories per gram. This is a tiny fraction of thecalories provided by a fully metabolizable carbohydrate. In many casesthe exact amount of carbohydrate absorbed varies from person to persondepending on age, weight, health condition, etc. The exact number ofcalories absorbed can be discovered only by careful metabolic analysis.However, the maximum number of absorbed calories will not exceed themaximum given for a specific fiber type (e.g., 1.6 food calories pergram for a specific inulin). product has the desired “water-like”characteristics—namely little or no taste, water-like viscosity, and fewor no calories. Some of the carbohydrate polymers may contain smallamounts of material that is absorbed and does contribute calories tohuman metabolism. However, the number of calories is small compared tothe significant dietary fiber contributed and can be minimized bycareful selection and blending of different soluble fiber materials.

Fiber-water is the perfect addition to the modern human diet as well asthat of appropriate animals. It adds few, if any, calories and isreadily substituted for bottled water as a safe source of hydration withnecessary soluble fiber. In the intestines water is withdrawn from theintestinal contents, and as the effective concentration of soluble fiberincreases the viscosity increasing and sequestering properties of thesoluble fiber result in slowed absorption of sugars and alteredabsorption of fats. This is of major significance in diabetes, heartdisease and certain other health conditions. Ultimately in the colon thehydrophilic properties of the soluble fiber have a softening and bulkingeffect on the stool. Thus, fiber-water is a unique, consistent, safe,easy to use single product that simultaneously ameliorates the problemsof dehydration and constipation. Further, there are indications that theviscosity enhancing and carbohydrate absorption—slowing properties ofthe soluble fiber result in appetite suppression both by creating afeeling of fullness and by moderating swings in blood sugar. Theliterature is filled with positive effects of fiber on weight controlboth in humans and domestic animals. Thus, the material is not onlynon-caloric or very low caloric but has additional positive effects onweight control.

Although the inventor contemplates fiber-water as a direct way to addwater and fiber to the diet, it is also a feature of the invention thatit can also be used to add fiber to other foods. For example, anypackaged food or beverage can be reconstituted with fiber-water to yielda fiber-enhanced food or beverage. Because fiber-water is based on safewater, it results in a safe food and/or beverage product even if theproduct is not heated to destroy microbes. Soluble fiber polysaccharidesare generally known to be stable during the cooking process. This meansthat if fiber-water is used to cook foods, such as grains (rice),oatmeal, and legumes, that imbibe water during the cooling process,these foods will also become fiber enhanced. Fiber can readily be addedto all types of packaged foods including gelatin products and cannedconcentrated foods such as soups. Further, since fiber-water is heatstable it can be used to prepare fiber enriched hot beverages. Inaddition, it can be frozen to provide “fiber ice cubes/products.”

An important aspect of fiber-water is that it preferably has a“water-like” appearance. By this the inventor means that the solution isessentially clear. People tend to relate clear solutions to purity. Somesoluble fiber materials yield a cloudy or murky solution. It ispreferred that fiber-water utilize materials that yield essentiallyclear solutions. As already mentioned, several available non-digestiblecarbohydrates produce “water clear” solutions. Generally partialhydrolysis or fractionation of the soluble fiber materials, alreadydiscussed (e.g. partially hydrolyzed guar gum), will lead to clearersolutions. To date many manufacturers of soluble fibers have beenconcerned with using their products in solid foods where texture of theingredient is most important. Therefore, there has been little effort inproducing materials that make clear solutions.

Besides, universal use as a hydrating and fiber providing materialfiber-water is especially useful in situations of stress. It is believedthat stress, both physiologically and psychologically, wrecks havoc onthe body and alters or effects bowel regularity. When under stresshumans and animals are known to reduce their consumption of water. Whenthe body is stressed by disease it actually requires additional wateryet this is exactly when many individuals reduce their water/fluidintake. Further, stress may influence people to prefer sugar ladenbeverages, comfort type foods, or caffeinated beverages for alertness.These types of beverages actually increase ones water requirement andmay actually lead to dehydration. Thus it is beneficial to providefiber-water, as opposed to plain water, as part of emergency supplieswhich are kept on hand and are used in “natural disaster”situations—fire, flood, storm, earthquake, or hurricane. During such andisasters people are stressed, and often forced to move from theirhomes. Emergency situations often dictate shortages of food (includingbeverages/water) and/or the predictability as to when they may beavailable. This, combined with the general shortage of fresh fruits andvegetables, a key source of dietary fiber, during such an emergencynaturally leads to loss of regularity. Emergency food drops rarelycontain fresh fruits and vegetables. Having to deal with the emergencyis bad enough. Adding severe constipation and/or dehydration simplymakes a bad situation worse. Assuring ample supplies of fiber-water isintended to alleviate many of these problems.

Natural catastrophes and emergencies are certainly a source of stress asare medical problems. Numerous and varied medical conditions, both shorttern and long term, may require feeding an individual through a tube.The two types of tubes used most commonly are the naso-gastric tube andthe gastrostomy tube. In either case nutriments are supplied directlyinto the stomach. Great efforts have been made by major corporations toprovide good nutritional products for tube feeding. Depending on thedesign of the particular tube, viscosity of the feeding liquid may be aproblem. The present inventor is a named inventor on U.S. Pat. Nos.4,315,513 and 4,393,873 for a percutaneous tube containing a one wayvalve—and is an expert on the potential problems of tube feeding.

Depending on the specific medical condition and/or severity of theproblem, dehydration and constipation may remain constant problems.Sufficient hydration and more specifically the ingestion of sufficientwater are most often a problem. Nasal tubes often irritate the throat.Even though there have been continuing efforts to create tube feedingformulae, commercial products are often low in fiber. Also, liquid foodscapable of passing through a tube are frequently high in calories andlow in fiber. Some patients may have a high requirement for calories butothers do not. Therefore, one may administer excess calories in anattempt to provide adequate fiber. The solution is to supplement thefeeding regime with fiber-water rather than plain water. Fiber-water asdescribed herein is very low in viscosity so that it is simple toadminister. For hospital use the inventor contemplates providingfiber-water in a number of different grades—that is with differentstrengths/quantities of fiber. In this way a grade can be selected thatwill provide the optimum amount of both fiber and water adjusted to meetthe patient's needs. It is further contemplated that the grades couldeach be uniquely colored with a safe soluble food-grade color so thathospital personnel, or other caregiver, could readily recognize whichgrade of fiber-water was being administered. This would further ensurethat the correct grade was used for a particular patient. Additionally,color might be pleasing to the patient, especially a child patient, andthus may serve to distract the child from an unpleasant situation.Further, these tubes are not always permanent, and if the fiber-waterexperience is pleasant and convenient perhaps new drinking habits willbe instilled and carried forward.

Although the above discussion presupposes that the primary user offiber-water would be an adult, children and infants, as well, havesignificant fiber requirements. Children, as well as adults, are victimsof the American diet, which is notoriously deficient in fiber richfruits and vegetables. Consciously or not, many parents have taughttheir children to reject foods that are brown, speckled or havesignificant textures. It is important that parents, as care givers,become aware of the amount of fiber consumed by their children. Childrencan benefit from optimal hydration based on fiber-water. By helpingcontrol appetite it may help control childhood obesity. It may even beof aid with eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia since victimsof these disorders are known to drink water because it lacks calories.Fiber-water would at least help preserve proper functioning of thegastrointestinal tract while other treatment is undertaken.

At every stage of life fiber is vital to proper health and growth anddevelopment. Infants and toddlers require a regular and controlledsource of fiber. After babies cease to breast-feed or use liquidformulas and move on to more varied “adult” solid foods, they oftensuffer a number of painful digestive episodes which makes them fussy anddifficult. Fiber-water provides an ideal source of hydration for suchinfants because it ensures adequate hydration, and it also provides aconsistent fiber source guaranteeing regularity. It should be kept inmind that typical commercial baby foods may vary widely in the amount offiber provided. Fiber-water provides an opportunity to lay thefoundation of good habits of hydration and fiber intake.

Domestic animals, particularly cats and dogs, also suffer from problemswith hydration and constipation. Dogs are omnivorous and will naturallyconsume some fruits and vegetables. However, refined dog foods tend tobe remarkably deficient in vegetable fiber. Administering a source offiber-water daily since dogs generally drink offered water can readilyalleviate this problem. An alternative is to add the fiber water to drykibble (of the “gravy” forming type) or even stir it into canned dogfood. Because fiber-water is essentially flavorless, it is welltolerated by dogs. Cats also have serious dehydration and constipationproblems. Cats are obligate carnivores and generally will not knowinglyconsume fruits or vegetables. Kidney failure is a common malady ofgeriatric cats resulting, in part, from inadequate hydration. Constantvomiting is a common feline problem brought on by their grooming duringwhich they ingest significant quantities of fur. In the wild cats ingestsufficient indigestible matter (bones, cartilage and tendons) to providenon-vegetable “fiber.” With pet cats the owners are expected to mixfiber (generally psyllium) with the cat's food or administerpetroleum-based laxatives. Neither alternative is particularly ideal.Fiber-water can be given as water or mixed with the cat's food toprovide sufficient fiber to prevent both hairballs and constipation thussolving significant feline problems. It appears that reduction invomiting positively contributes to the hydration of cats.

Example 1

It has been estimated that adult fiber requirements are between about 10grams and about 40 grams per day. Some experts have adopted a figure ofaround 25 grams. Obviously, the requirement for fiber is related to bodysize, weight and health status. Some attempts have been made to relatethe requirement to weight. It has been estimated that between 50 and 300mg. of fiber per kilogram of body weight per day. Fiber requirements canalso be estimated from daily caloric intake. Current estimates call forabout 25 grams per day for a 2,000 calorie diet (adequate for a 125pound person) and about 37 grams for a 3,000 calorie diet (adequate fora 175 pound person). Both approaches yield roughly similar results sincea heavier person usually has a greater caloric intake. These estimatesshould provide adequate fiber for even a person with a very fiberdeficient diet.

Taking a 25 g of fiber per day requirement and using the rubric of 8glasses of water (each glass equals approximately 250 ml of water) oneshould spread the 25 g over 2,000 ml (8.times.250 ml). Therefore, thefiber-water used should contain 12.5 mg/ml of soluble fiber orapproximately 1.25% by weight fiber-water. For a daily caloric intake of3,000 calories this translates to a fiber-water of about 2% by weightsoluble fiber.

This analysis indicates that at least two different “strengths” offiber-water should be produced to allow a range of average personsreceive both the optimum amount of water and fiber. In actuality, it isconvenient to produce a number of grades ranging from about 0.50% to2.5%. This would allow a wide range of individuals to readily select afiber-water that simultaneously supplies both the required amount ofwater and the required amount of fiber. Depending on an individualsneeds combined with the desire to drink, or not to drink, the amount offiber can be increased by using an appropriate “strength/grade” offiber-water to supply some or all of the required eight glasses ofwater. Of course, it is also possible that an individual does not intendto spread out the fiber requirement over eight 8 oz. glasses. It may bedesirable to consume the fiber at home, in the morning and evening onlyand not away from home. For this and similar reasons, it is desirable tomake several more concentrated grades of fiber-water ranging from 5% toeven 10% by weight fiber. This will reduce the number of daily dosesneeded. Thus, if one does not have fiber-water available all day,hydration can be assured by drinking plain water supplemented with ahigher “strength/grade” of fiber-water to fulfill daily fiberrequirements. If necessary, the amount of fiber consumed can be a lower“strength/grade” of fiber-water to meat the daily required eight glassesof water. Colors can be used to indicate different “strength/grades” offiber in the water. It may also be advantageous to add a different foodcolor to each grade so that the “strength” of the fiber-water can beidentified at a glance.

Fiber-water for testing, according to the above scheme, was produced bydissolving the required weights of a mixture of indigestible dextrinsand partially hydrolyzed guar gum in purified water. The preferreddextrins or maltodextrins are prepared by controlled hydrolysis ofvegetable starches (e.g. potato or corn) as is described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,620,873. The hydrolyzed guar gum is of the type discussed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,260,279 (available in the United States as BENEFIBER® fromNovartis Nutrition of Minneapolis, Minn.; available in other countriesas SUN-FIBER® from Taiyo of Japan). The resulting solution,(fiber-water) in the strengths explained above, is essentially colorlessand clear having the basic appearance of plain water. The liquid iseither flavorless or may have a very slight “sweetness” depending on thestrength of the particular solution and the proportion of the solublefibers used. The partially hydrolyzed guar gum is essentially flavorlesswhile the maltodextrin has a slight sweet taste. In addition, someindividuals can detect a slightly different “mouth feel” because of theslight viscosity increase resulting from the soluble fibers.

However, for all practical purposes the resulting solution looks andbehaves like bottled water and can readily be used in place of bottledwater. If it is desired to ensure the microbial status of thefiber-water, it can be autoclaved or sterile filtered like plain water.Starting with a good quality drinking water preferably one with littleor no sodium can ensure palatability. Addition of trace of “essence” orflavor such as lime or lemon can enhance palatability without adding anycalories or otherwise detracting from the beneficial properties of theproduct. The product should look, behave and be used like high qualitydrinking water. To this end any “naturally occurring” water can be usedas a starting. Thus, it is possible to start with a mineral water andproduce “fiber mineral water.” Such mineral waters may have up to 500mg/L of dissolved salts.

Example 2

Infants also have distinct fiber requirements. Until recently, nospecific guidelines for dietary fiber in children were available.Recommendations have recently been developed, based on age, weight, andheight of the child. It is now recommended that children older than twoyears consume a minimum amount of fiber equal to the age plus five gramsa day. The recommended “safe dose” is between this and age plus tengrams a day. Above that symptoms of excess fiber (e.g., loose stool) maybecome apparent. It is the intent of the various grades of fiber-waterprovided in the present invention to enable a person or a caregiver to“titrate” the amount of fiber by looking for symptoms of excess fiberconsumption. Since infants and small children are generally unable todirectly tell us of their digestive distress, constipation and otherresults of inadequate fiber are often exhibited as fussiness or similarundesirable behavior. This is especially true when infants are justbeing weaned from fiber-free milk to a fiber containing diet. There canbe significant advantage to providing a fiber source in the waterconsumed by the infant. Because infants have a constant requirement forwater the addition of fiber-water to the typical diet can provide a moreconstant, even source of fiber while ensuring adequate hydration.Further, the use of fiber-water can ensure adequate fiber without addingsignificant calories—an inevitable consequence of other fiber sources.Consistent dietary fiber can provide for more even operation of theinfant's digestive process. In contrast, a more traditional infant dietis one that alternates between low fiber formula and high fiber “adult”foods may have an uneven or cramping effect.

A useful amount of soluble fiber is ¼-1 gram per 8 oz (a considerablylower concentration than for the adult fiber-water). The “babyfiber-water” is produced by dissolving the required amount of solublefiber consisting of a mixture of partially hydrolyzed guar gum andinulin (FRUTAFIT® from Imperial-Sensus of Sugar Land, Tex. is apreferred inulin for this purpose) in safe (e.g., purified) water. Theslight sweetness of the inulin makes the water especially palatable. Theintent here is not to treat specific diseases but to ameliorateconstipation—and only disease states known to cause constipation. Forexample, Hirshprung's syndrome is caused by a loss of motor cells in thelower rectum; therefore there is a loss of thrust. Children born withcongenital problems, or children still suffering from incompletelyhealed accidents, benefit from fiber-water as it provides bulk andhydration to help overcome serious constipation that may result fromsuch causes. Actually babies are extremely sensitive to a variety ofstresses and changes and get constipated as a result. Alternating boutsof regularity and or constipation is not uncommon. A baby's system maybe under stress, and that alone can be the cause. Infants can sensestress in their surroundings be it the home, etc.:

-   1) Dysfunctional: homes where there is divorce, alcoholism, family    abuse etc., may be noted in the babies refusal to eat, defecate,    crying spells etc.-   2) Changes in custodial care: baby sitters, new sibling, and or step    parent etc.-   3) Changes due to normal childhood illnesses: colds, flu, teething,    fever, measles, mumps, chicken pox, etc. While these illnesses may    not be the direct cause of constipation they may be the indirect    cause. With illness come changes in eating, sleeping, behaviors, and    habits.-   4) Travel: When a babies environment is changed, from going to    grandparents to international travel, sensitivities to the new can    throw off a system that is used to regularity. International travel    bears with it the dehydration of long hours on an airplane etc. The    future holds even more stressing travel such as space travel.-   5) Accidents: also upset regular habits and can result in    constipation.

Water probably can be given to the baby as early as one month, althoughit's not usually started between 2-4 months after birth. In someinstances fiber-water may be of especially significant value.Fiber-water can serve as a great pacifier without the dangers of dentalharm posed by traditional formula or beverages. Diarrhea, which is oftencaused by contaminated water supplies, can be life threatening toinfants. Therefore, there are great advantages to using safe bottledwater for any infant formula, etc. Using safe packaged fiber-water iseven better where it is desired to avoid excessive caloric intake. Inthe case of the “fat baby”, the fiber-water may well do more thanprovide a low or non caloric, hydrating agent. The soluble fiber infiber-water has been shown to slow the absorption of fats and sugars.Therefore, the fiber-water may also help to counteract an overly richdiet.

As the infant becomes a toddler and moves towards more a more adultdiet, the requirement for fiber increases. Fiber-water again serves asthe ideal source of both hydration and fiber. Unlike soft drinks orfruit juices fiber-water does not add calories to the diet nor does itcause dental caries. It is most convenient to package toddler/youngchild fiber-water in flexible pouches or laminate boxes because thesecontainers are shatter proof and can be easily used by small children.As with adult fiber-water, it is advantageous to provide the infant andchild fiber-water in a number of “grades” so that the amount of fiberadministered can be readily adjusted. Again, it is advantageous to addidentifying color so that it is apparent to the parent precisely whichgrade of fiber-water is being used. In the case of children the color isinherently appealing and may mitigate in favor of using transparentpackaging so that the child can appreciate the color of the fiber-waterbeing consumed.

It is permissible and often advantageous to blend an assortment ofdifferent soluble fibers to create any particular fiber-water. It isbelieved that the various soluble fibers have essentially identicalproperties when it comes to providing bulk and hydration to the stools.However, it is not yet clear which soluble fibers will prove superior inaltering lipid or sugar absorption. Of the soluble fibers presentlyavailable the indigestible dextrins, inulins and partially hydrolyzedguar gum appear to provide the most “water clear” solutions. However,many dextrins and inulins contain a small amount of a metabolizablecomponent and have a slight sweet taste. Therefore, there can be anadvantage of providing a portion of the soluble fiber in the formhydrolyzed guar gum or some other flavorless and totallynon-metabolizable compound. Even though some of these materials mayproduce a less clear solution, a combination with a “clear” solublefiber can yield a solution that is both high in fiber and clarity andlow in sweetness or other taste. Other soluble fibers can be combined torealize the advantages of the different fibers. Inulins have a slightlysweet taste and while not appreciably metabolized by humans, bacteria inthe colon metabolize inulins. In some cases such colonic metabolism mayprovide a distinct advantage and would mitigate towards includinginulins in the mixture. Until the advent of fiber-water the advantage ofa clear or nearly clear soluble fiber was not appreciated. As mentionedabove, it is anticipated that partial hydrolysis and fractional refiningof the various soluble fibers mentioned above will rapidly lead to agreater variety of “water clear” soluble fibers.

The present invention discloses the hitherto unappreciated advantages ofusing fiber-water as an essentially non-caloric source of fiber andwater. In other words, a new dietary component that simultaneouslyprovides hydration and dietary fiber. While the examples have dealt withprepackaged fiber-water, there is nothing that precludes fiber-waterfrom being prepared by the end user from a concentrated source ofsoluble fiber and potable water. The soluble fiber can be in the form ofa powder or a slurry/suspension or a concentrated solution or syrup towhich a predetermined quantity of water is added. In the past such fibersources have been added to solid food items and to various beverages.However, such concentrated sources of fiber have never been used toprepare potable fiber-water for direct consumption as a water comprisingof safe water and soluble dietary fiber.

In addition to the equivalents of the claimed elements, obvioussubstitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the artare defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. The claimsare thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustratedand described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can beobviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates theessential idea of the invention. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that various adaptations and modifications of thejust-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the invention. The illustrated embodimenthas been set forth only for the purposes of example and that should notbe taken as limiting the invention. Therefore, it is to be understoodthat, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may bepracticed other than as specifically described herein.

I claim:
 1. A water-like composition consisting essentially of potablewater, 0.1% to 10% by weight of water-soluble indigestible fiber, thewater and the fiber forming a solution whose physical properties aresimilar to potable water, wherein said fiber is selected from a groupconsisting of inulin, dextrin, maltodextrin and partial hydrolyzates ofthe fibers from said group; and a flavoring.
 2. The composition of claim1, wherein said flavoring is calorie-free.
 3. The composition of claim2, wherein said flavoring is a natural fruit essence.
 4. The compositionof claim 2, wherein said flavoring is a natural botanical essence. 5.The composition of claim 2, wherein said flavoring is a syntheticproduct.
 6. The composition of claim 2, wherein said flavoring isattractive to a domestic animal.
 7. The composition of claim 1, whereinthe fiber is inulin or partial hydrolyzates thereof.
 8. The compositionof claim 1, wherein the fiber is dextrin or partial hydrolyzatesthereof.
 9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the fiber is a mixtureof inulin and dextrin, or partial hydrolyzates thereof.
 10. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the fiber is 0.50% to 2.5% by weight.11. The composition of claim 3, wherein the fiber is 0.50% to 2.5% byweight.
 12. The composition of claim 3, wherein the fiber is dextrin orpartial hydrolyzates thereof.
 13. The composition of claim 3, whereinthe fiber is inulin or partial hydrolyzates thereof.
 14. The compositionof claim 3, wherein the fiber is a mixture of inulin and dextrin, orpartial hydrolyzates thereof, and wherein the fiber is 0.50% to 2.5% byweight.
 15. The composition of claim 3, wherein the fiber is a mixtureof inulin and dextrin, or partial hydrolyzates thereof.
 16. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein said flavoring is a natural fruitessence.
 17. The composition of claim 16, wherein the fiber is inulin orpartial hydrolyzates thereof.
 18. The composition of claim 16, whereinthe fiber is dextrin or partial hydrolyzates thereof.
 19. Thecomposition of claim 16, wherein the fiber is a mixture of inulin anddextrin, or partial hydrolyzates thereof.
 20. The composition of claim1, wherein said flavoring is a natural botanical essence.